JEOPARDY! fans have ripped Mayim Bialik as the game show’s celebrity spinoff made its debut tonight.
The inaugural episode featured Conan’s sidekick Andy Richter, 55, Marvel Shang-Chi’s Simi Liu, 33, and Saturday Night Live’s Ego Nwodim, 34, as its celebrity contestants.
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Sunday’s debut episode of Celebrity Jeopardy! played out as normal, only with famous celebs swapping places with the game show’s usual contestants.
Mayim, 46, performed hosting duties as funnyman Andy looked as if he could manage alongside any of the scholars who regularly compete on Jeopardy!
And while the episode proceeded without a hitch, fans watching from home weren’t as impressed with its guests or its host.
As one person tweeted, “Looking forward to Celebrity Jeopardy getting less cringe when the next round comes.”
Another critic wrote: “Only the first episode and Jeopardy sure is scrapping the bottom of the barrel when it comes to ‘celebrities.'”
A third commenter agreed, stating “I’m really enjoying Celebrity Jeopardy and no disrespect to the great Andy Richter but he shouldn’t ever be the biggest celebrity.”
They continued: “And he is. Kinda sad lineup for [the] first episode.”
Another Twitter user directed their criticism squarely at Mayim, writing “It feels like Jeopardy writers are scripting Mayim’s jokes here. Just awful.”
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The user then added: “Ken [Jennings] is so comfortable when he hosts that he is able to make witty comments on the fly. The contrast is palpable.”
OFFICIAL HOST
Earlier this month, Ken Jennings, 48, introduced himself as the official host of the original Jeopardy! for the first time while finally in front of a live audience.
Season 39 of the game show premiered with Ken in the role for good and in-person fans back after two years.
After a summer of reruns and retooling, Season 39 of Jeopardy! premiered on Monday, September 12th.
When Season 38 ended, former champ Ken and actress Mayim were announced as its dual hosts and the permanent successors for the late, great Alex Trebek.
A BIG THANK YOU
Ken’s first episode of the season show opened with a wide shot of the live studio audience at the newly named Alex Trebek stage, formerly Stage 10 studios.
The cheers filled the set as announcer Johnny Gilbert, 94, declared: “Here is the host of Jeopardy!, Ken Jennings!”
Ken seemed so honored and taken aback as he walked onto the stage and to the cheers from the stands.
“Thank you Johnny, thank you everyone!” he said. “Welcome to the show. I am so honored to be announced as the host of Jeopardy!.”
“But I am even more excited to be with you beginning a new season. With our Emmy-winning Jeopardy! staff and crew, and an audience back in the studio for the first time in two and a half years! Yes!”
KEN’S TIME
“Ken Jennings is the host of Jeopardy! Been waiting for this forever,” one fan wrote at the time.
“FABULOUS! Ken is host! We will be watching!” wrote another.
“So happy Jeopardy is back, and with a live audience, too” gushed a third on the milestone for the show’s winningest alum.
Ken and Mayim began filling in for late host Alex after his tragic 2020 passing at age 80 and a whirlwind of Season 37 celebrity guest hosts.
Largely viewers have preferred Ken in online polls – in a heated 2-year category of pop culture discussion.
Earlier guest hosts included Savannah Guthrie, LeVar Burton, Dr. Oz, and Anderson Cooper – but now the smoke has cleared and it’s Mayim and Ken’s shared post.
The list also included former executive producer Mike Richards who even scored the host gig from the inside before it was “reversed” after a week of shows.
Ken until January, with Mayim taking over from then on.
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